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Haha, I still need them funny guy, my gripe was that you can't order the rails that come on the Sport models from the stealerships. They're starting to grow on me though, I think my biggest aversion to them is the shiny in the middle, maybe i'll have to tag them with plastidip when I tone down the fog lamp bezels tomorrow.

I also got the fork mounted bike rack that Subaru sells. Turns out it's a Yakima Forklift that has a Subaru sticker on it.

So I imagine that any attachment that fits the 'Aero' style crossbars, be it Yakima, Thule, Inno, RockyMounts, etc, I imagine it'll work.

Attachments that fit the 'Round' style crossbars will not work with the OEM crossbars.

Hope it helps.

Thanks fastjk.
Glad to hear that the OEM rack would still have many compatible non-subaru attachments.
I'm still a little concerned about the OEM rack not having locks on them.
How 'easy' is it for someone to steal the rack/attachment?

Although, I don't think I have much choice though... seems like the OEM rack is the only choice available for cars without rails.

Thanks fastjk.
Glad to hear that the OEM rack would still have many compatible non-subaru attachments.
I'm still a little concerned about the OEM rack not having locks on them.
How 'easy' is it for someone to steal the rack/attachment?

Although, I don't think I have much choice though... seems like the OEM rack is the only choice available for cars without rails.

Its pretty easy to get them off. Takes a little bit of time though. Hopefully it would be enough of a pita to discourage a would be thief. I don't know how easy it would be to figure out a lock option for it. Maybe Yakima or Thule will come out with lockable towers here soon.

I am piecing together my roof rack with Yakima parts. I've gotten the crossbars and rail grabs as well as a set of lift ticket snowboard / skiis carrier. Rack looks good on my Sport. I am curious as to what size fairing to go with. Suggestions???

I am piecing together my roof rack with Yakima parts. I've gotten the crossbars and rail grabs as well as a set of lift ticket snowboard / skiis carrier. Rack looks good on my Sport. I am curious as to what size fairing to go with. Suggestions???

IMO the aerobars does not look aerodynamic at all. I was dead set on ordering it after receiving my car, but after seeing it in person I might just have to wait for the Whisperbars. The aerobars looked a lot bulkier than my MDX's cross bars as well as the older generation OB's. Aerobar ownser, any thoughts?

IMO the aerobars does not look aerodynamic at all. I was dead set on ordering it after receiving my car, but after seeing it in person I might just have to wait for the Whisperbars. The aerobars looked a lot bulkier than my MDX's cross bars as well as the older generation OB's. Aerobar ownser, any thoughts?

Is your soon to be car a sport model with the roof rails or are you talking about the 'factory cross bars' that mount to the little spots under the gutter trim? If it's the latter, they actually are very aerodynamic, I don't notice any extra wind noise, and i have yet to see a negative effect on my mpg's. No fairing, just the cross bars and my 2 yakima forklifts. hope it helps your decision.

Is your soon to be car a sport model with the roof rails or are you talking about the 'factory cross bars' that mount to the little spots under the gutter trim? If it's the latter, they actually are very aerodynamic, I don't notice any extra wind noise, and i have yet to see a negative effect on my mpg's. No fairing, just the cross bars and my 2 yakima forklifts. hope it helps your decision.

Thanks for your input. I have the sports limited (picked up two days ago). The aerobars just looked bigger than other brands. Maybe i just have to get used to it.

Is there an advantage using Thule, Yakima aftermarket roof rack over the Subaru OEM version? Seems like the Subaru made option is way cheaper. Also, which fit kit is required for the Thule 460R on the 2012 Impreza 5 Door?

I have the sport imp. Is it worth it to get the factory areo cross bars or would you rather go after market?

i have OEM crossbars that came with the package on the impreza sport i got. design flaws that I notice was:
1. the crossbars can easily be taken off by a torx screwdriver. hence i you have an expensive bike on top i can easily be stolen in less than 10 mins
2. the foot of the crossbars are 8 inches wide. there is only 26 inches of space where you can attach anything. (front crossbars are 27 inches wide but you got to follow the rear crossbar width if you want to mount a bike rack straight.
3. the crossbar is curved. i bought the yakima forklift and mounted a bike. the bike is not perfectly perpendicular to the cars roof, slightly in an angle towards the outside of the car.
4. Once a bike is mounted there is a little shake coming from the crossbars itself. one foot (the Right side) of the crossbar cannot be tighten down. this can be very dangerous when you are hauling a heavy bike with a lot of wind on the road.

after 2 weeks of using the EOM crossbars went back to my old yakima rack.

So am I reading correctly that you cannot buy the sport side rails nor can you remove them? That doesnt seem right. If anybody can get theirs off, I'd be interested in buying them from you. I've got a hatch with a naked roof and I'm in need of a way to haul my bikes around.

I am looking at the Yakima Forklift and wondering if that setup will work... I have sport aero bars and a roof spoiler in the rear. Sounds like I may be happier with new crossbars. Also not sure if the spoiler will be in the way. Anyone else have a good 2-bike setup on their sport imp?

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycling4fitness

i have OEM crossbars that came with the package on the impreza sport i got. design flaws that I notice was:
1. the crossbars can easily be taken off by a torx screwdriver. hence i you have an expensive bike on top i can easily be stolen in less than 10 mins
2. the foot of the crossbars are 8 inches wide. there is only 26 inches of space where you can attach anything. (front crossbars are 27 inches wide but you got to follow the rear crossbar width if you want to mount a bike rack straight.
3. the crossbar is curved. i bought the yakima forklift and mounted a bike. the bike is not perfectly perpendicular to the cars roof, slightly in an angle towards the outside of the car.
4. Once a bike is mounted there is a little shake coming from the crossbars itself. one foot (the Right side) of the crossbar cannot be tighten down. this can be very dangerous when you are hauling a heavy bike with a lot of wind on the road.

after 2 weeks of using the EOM crossbars went back to my old yakima rack.

i have OEM crossbars that came with the package on the impreza sport i got. design flaws that I notice was:
1. the crossbars can easily be taken off by a torx screwdriver. hence i you have an expensive bike on top i can easily be stolen in less than 10 mins.

So am I reading correctly that you cannot buy the sport side rails nor can you remove them? That doesnt seem right. If anybody can get theirs off, I'd be interested in buying them from you. I've got a hatch with a naked roof and I'm in need of a way to haul my bikes around.

You can mount cross bars without the roof rails. Check the Thule and Yakima fit guides. . .

I am looking at the Yakima Forklift and wondering if that setup will work... I have sport aero bars and a roof spoiler in the rear. Sounds like I may be happier with new crossbars. Also not sure if the spoiler will be in the way. Anyone else have a good 2-bike setup on their sport imp?

Given the curve of the rails, I'd probably recommend going with Yakima's round bars instead of Thule's square ones. I felt a little limited in where I could mount the bars while keeping the bars in a plane parallel to the roof and each other. Round bars would allow a little more flexibility I think, but I already had the square bars on hand. . .

I have the factory crossbars with a pair of Rocky Mount Tie Rods. They fit the aero factory bars, are lockable, and IMHO are much better looking than the usual (and boring) Yakima/Thule designs. Plus you can get an array of colors.